Meet the site
Steve's Bommie is one of the most celebrated dives on the Great Barrier Reef, a pinnacle rising from 30–35 m to about 5 m off the south end of Ribbon Reef No. 3. It is named after a crew member, and a marble plaque in his memory sits on the bommie at about 22–25 m. Spirit of Freedom, Mike Ball and Dive the World all rate it among the best Ribbon Reef sites, and Mike Ball often dives it twice on a trip because of its biodiversity.
The bommie is covered in Acropora patches, brain and plate corals, pink gorgonian fans and purple elephant-ear sponges, with soft corals on the deeper flanks. Cracks and crevices run through the structure. Schools of big-eye trevally, chevron barracuda, yellow-lined and blue-lined snapper, fusiliers, goatfish and unicornfish swirl around it, and giant trevally, grey and whitetip reef sharks patrol. Wobbegong sharks rest at the base.
The macro life is exceptional. Guides use glow-sticks to mark leafy scorpionfish, stonefish, octopus, peacock mantis shrimp, flame file shells and several species of pipefish, including Schultz's, banded messmate and glittering pipefish. Five species of Australian anemonefish live on the bommie, among them true clownfish, pink, spinecheek and red-and-black. Green and hawksbill turtles are regular, and dwarf minke whales pass in winter.
Nigel Marsh described it for Scuba Diver magazine as packed with marine life, and Mike Ball calls it a photographer's dream. It suits intermediate divers comfortable ascending in open water. If you only get one pinnacle dive on the southern Ribbons, this should be it, and a second visit on the same trip is rarely wasted.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Steve's Bommie is recorded as Pinnacle/Bommie in Ribbon Reefs & Lizard Island. The listed access is boat (multi-day/liveaboard). Confirm the actual meeting point, route and permission to visit; a map pin does not establish any of these.
Topics flagged by the stored research
These are questions prompted by the existing notes, not a verified or complete hazard assessment.
- Current and timing
- Ask how the operator assesses the current window for the actual route. Historical tide notes are not a departure instruction.
- Planned depth
- Confirm the intended route and training requirements; the recorded maximum is not a target.
Historical access notes exist for this record, but have not been independently verified for current use. Request current directions from the operator or site manager rather than following an old entry description.
Questions, answered
Is Steve's Bommie suitable for my certification?
The record lists Deep/Advanced + experience. That does not establish suitability for every route or day. Share your training, recent experience and equipment needs with the operator and ask about the specific proposed dive.
Can I book Steve's Bommie through YouDive?
YouDive is an independent research directory. Contact an operator directly to confirm whether it currently runs the trip, the inclusions and the booking terms.
What you might see
Big-eye trevally, chevron barracuda, yellow-lined and blue-lined snapper, fusiliers, goatfish, unicornfish, giant trevally, grey and whitetip reef sharks, wobbegong sharks, leafy scorpionfish, stonefish, octopus, peacock mantis shrimp, flame file shells, Schultz's and banded pipefish, five anemonefish species, green and hawksbill turtles, dwarf minke whales (Jun–Jul), purple and gold anthias
Location
An isolated pinnacle rising from about 30–35 m to 5 m off the south-west end of Ribbon Reef No. 3.
Before you make plans
Conditions, access and operator schedules can change. This is a location guide, not a dive plan. Ask a local operator about current conditions and suitability for your training and experience.
Sources & further reading
mikeball.comspiritoffreedom.com.audive-the-world.comnigelmarshphotography.comdivernet.commikeball.commikeball.commorrisnautical.auRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.